Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-08-04
OUR POOR NAVY.

Evidence that Incompetent Persons are
Engaged In Aiming Our New War Vessels
As Much Danger Behind as In Front OF
the Gums to Both Ships and Mcn-The
Atlanta Structurally Sound, But Useless
NEWPORT, b. L, July 27.-The board APP
pointed by Secretary Whitney on Friday
last to inspect the Atlanta and take CONF
mand of her until his order has been fully
carried out, met on board the vessel Mon
day. The board was busy that day and
the next examining the armament of the
Atlanta. The result viii be communicated
to Secretary Whitney in few days, when
the board completes its labor, not as it was
outlined in the order of Secretary Whitney
naming the members of the board and the
duties they We're expected to perform, but
the result OF the inspection of the ship and
her ornaments as revealed to the board
during the short time it has walked the
deck of the Atlanta.
The result of the labors of the board, sum-
married., are as follows: The ship is at
present practically useless. Her structure
appears to be strong and free from weak
ness, but her armament is hors-de-combat.
The injury to the eight-inch gun carriages
is such that they can not be again used un-
til completely repaired. The damage to
the clip circle and clips is such that If re-
paired the board would not be warranted
in firing the guns, a repetition of the injury
to them being inevitable. The board does
not think that this portion of the fittings
of the vessel was ever intended to retard
the recoil of guns, and the damage done is
in excess of what is reasonable. The deck
of the vessel is found to be intact.
The uncertain behavior of the
eight-inch guns makes it inexpedient to
again subject the vessel to firing tests. It
&c Fact pov, ,f cs1
inch guns that if the eight-inch guns were
in perfect order the six-inch gun would be
idle, as it would be impossible to work
both guns at the same time. The smaller
secondary battery is also useless while
either the eight or six-inch guns are fired.
The result is that the Atlanta, as a vessel
of war, as the armament is now arranged,
is absolutely worthless. The discharge
of the heavy power guns is likely to be
followed by injury to the vessel. The three
batteries, which ought to be so arranged
as to be fired, if necessary, simultaneously,
are imperative for single fire.
The board will further repo TT that until
the repairs are made, which the present
condition of the ship rea lily demands, it is
out of the question to think of making any
thorough tests of any part of her battery.
What is true of the Atlanta is also true Of
the Boston, and probably the Chicago.
Captain Bunce, commanding the Atlanta,
prudently tested the effect of the dis
charge of the eight-inch guns before expos
ing the men. The first sheep put near the
gun was blown, nobody knows
where. The second sheep.was tied aroun
the body with a small rope and slac
enough given to allow freedom of move.
ment. The animal was tossed high into
the air and drawn back by the rope a dead
creature. Other objects We're placed near
the six-inch guns and in every
instance the warning was to keep
away from the guns when dis
charged. The board will probably finish
its labors and adjourn this week, it being
out of the range of probability that the
tests laid down by Secretary Whitney III
ever be executed.